CN to extend sidings on Northern Ontario main line

Canadian National plans to construct two more extended sidings on its Northern Ontario mainline this year, bringing its investments in seven long sidings in this corridor to more than C$30 million (US$31.55 million). Two additional extended sidings, costing a total of C$10 million (US$10.52 million), are planned for this mainline in 2012. "The strategic investments in longer sidings will help to further increase our ability to process freight trains efficiently across this line, enhance network velocity and productivity and improve the safety of operations," said Keith Creel, executive vice-president and chief operating officer. CN's longer sidings program is creating sidings of 12,000 to 13,000 feet long from sidings that were previously 6,000 to 7,000 feet in length. It will allow CN to maximize the benefits of its longer-train operating plan in mainline corridors across its system. CN's Northern Ontario siding investments are part of the company's C$1.7-billion (US$1.8-billion) 2011 capital expenditure program to maintain a safe and fluid railway network.